Organisers at a charity set up in memory of South Elmsall teenager Bethany Jones are flying high after an award to mark their fundraising efforts was delivered by helicopter.

Mark Larkin set up Beth’s Angels after his cousin Miss Jones was killed in the M62 hen party minibus crash near Pontefract in 2013.

A Yorkshire Air Ambulance pilot presented a special Supporters Award to charity founder Mr Larkin after arriving by helicopter.

Beth’s Angels has helped raise £12,000 for the lifesaving service.

Mr Larkin, landlord of the Barnsley Oak pub in South Elmsall, said: “It’s all in memory of our Beth at the end of the day.

“I started the charity but it’s everyone around here and across the area that has raised the money.

“I’m accepting the award on behalf of the whole community and it is an honour.

“The money we are raising is all helping the service.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is close to my heart because the day when it happened, both the helicopters were out of commission.

“Two or three of the women would not have survived the crash without helicopters that came from Nottingham and the North East. Some of the pilots and staff come in my pub now and we’re good friends which is nice.”

The award was presented to Mr Larkin after a helicopter landed on a field next to the Asda Superstore in Glass Houghton, on Tuesday.

He launched the charity with £1,000 from the Barnsley Road pub’s takings.

An emblem, carrying a Beth’s Angels logo and designed by her sister Amy, has been placed on the side of both air ambulances.

Dozens of fundraisers have been organised since the charity was set up.

Organisers at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said the charity was grateful for those who had helped fundraise for the lifesaving service.

Kerry Garner, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional fundraising manager, said: “Following the tragic accident in 2013, the local community have really pulled together in and around the South Elmsall area to support the Beth’s Angels charity and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“We are very grateful to all involved and the Recognition Award is very much deserved.”

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